Oct 10 The Black Forest (a final tour)

As we wind down this once-in-a-lifetime trip, we journeyed once more into the Black Forest near the Rhine. The GPS and Google Maps (with the little blue dot following our location) allowed us to navigate back roads through the hills from village to village. The names of the villages are themselves interesting: Shopfheim, Hausen im Wiesental, Zell im Wiesental, Frohnd, Bollen, Burchau, Kleines Wiesental, Maulburg, Steinen. Some views:

A mid afternoon coffee stop at a bakery

in Kleines Wiesental.

A sign in the bakery that says

"Today's Offer

2

Chocolate-

croissants

only 2.20"

The young ladies that waited on us.

The "Day's offer" + 2 coffees (6.00 Euro).

Back at the apartment in Schworstadt, Germany.

We had done laundry in the morning.

The Europeans use washing machines but

choose to air dry their clothes on racks like these.

Perhaps an energy saving measure.

The recycling laws in Europe are quite strict.

We had instructions at each of our accommodations

on recycling procedures. There are separate containers

for each type of waste (paper, plastic, metal, organic).

Oct 9 Basel

Basel is in northwest Switzerland where the borders of France, Germany, and Swizerland intersect. Settlements date to 500 BC. It is the home of the pharmaceutical firm Novartis (formerly Sandoz) where I worked for one year in 1982-83. At that time, our family was housed in an apartment in the neighboring village of Muttenz (7 miles to the west of central Basel). I rode tram #14 to work (it still operates today), a 30 minute trip passing through the old part of Basel. At that time we attended an English speaking church called Basel Christian Fellowship which we were able to visit today (for the 10:30 morning service). The interior of the church is very simple and has not changed much since our last visit there in 1985.

Today was chilly (50 degrees) with some drizzle and spits of rain. But after the church service, we bundled up and walked the altstadt. Some has changed but much is still the same.

The church where the Basel Christian Fellowship

meets for Sunday services. A service in German is

held before the English service (that was also

the  case in 1982). We have a picture of our 3 daughters
(at that time 8, 7 and 4) standing in front  of the church.
"Kapelle" (on the front of the building) means chapel.
In 1982, the words on the front of the building were
"Evangelische Gemeinde" (Evangelical Community).
The congregation is international. We sang traditional
hymns (from hymn books) and the sermon was based
on a passage from Psalms.

The pulpit.

The Bible verse on the wall above the

pulpit says "Des Herrn Wort bleibt in Ewigkeit"

("The Lord's Word remains forever.")

1 Peter 1:25.

The church is located near one of the old medieval city

gates called Spalentor ("tor" means tower).

At one time (centuries ago) there was a wall around the city that

connected to the tower.

The ornate Basel Rathaus (City Hall) on Marktplatz (Market place)

in the altstadt (old city). Construction started in 1504 as a political gesture

after Basel joining the Swiss Confederation in 1501.

Various additions and renovations have been made

but the arches were part of the original building.

In the City Hall courtyard.

Trams pass through the altstadt and across the Rhine

every few minutes.

These are at a tram stop called Barfusserplatz.

Other miscellaneous views in Basel Altstadt.

Oct 8 Olten

The city of Olten is 30 miles south of the Rhine with a medieval altstadt next to the Aare river. The Rhine and Aare valleys are separated by the Jura (pronounced "yur'-ah") mountain range (similar to the Black Forest mountains) and we took the opportunity to drive some of the more remote roads on the way to Olten. The day was overcast with temperatures in the mid 50s, a day similar to those in Nebraska at this time of year with kurbis (pumpkin) stands along the country roads.

A small road side self service stand.

(prices are in Swiss Francs)

A Jura apple orchard with rows of narrowly

pruned apple trees.

From the road as we approached the village of Holstein.

The "Kilchzimmer" Child Evangelism training center

near the village of Langenbruck. We had made several

visits here in 1982-3.

Views from Kilchzimmer

Some views on the way to Olten.

The gps guided us via back roads, sometimes with open

views and sometimes through densely wooded areas.

Olten's city tower in the altstadt.

Back side of the city tower

The entrance to the city tower.

Altstadt street

Olten's old covered bridge over the Aare.

Still used by pedestrians.

A view of the Aare from inside the covered bridge.

The cooler temperatures drove most

shoppers inside for afternoon coffee.

But a few were still willing to brave

the cooler temperatures.

Yes - there are McDonald's in Europe.

Most have seating on two levels and a

separate coffee bar with European desserts.

A view in the village of Arisdorf, Switzerland

(this view had not changed since we last saw it in 1982)